Yvette Clarke on Immigration

Democrat

Humane immigration policy without criminalization

I strongly oppose the irrational and racist Sensenbrenner Bill, and I am fighting for a humane immigration policy that does not criminalize those who seek to participate in our society & become Americans, as generations of immigrants have throughout our
nation’s history. Legislation currently being considered that will drive the undocumented further underground by increasing the threat of arrest and deportation also threatens our national security, our public health, and the fabric of our communities.

Allow more visas for STEM college graduates.

Clarke co-sponsored Attracting the Best and Brightest Act

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to make up to 50,000 visas available to qualified immigrants who:

possess a graduate degree at the level of master's or higher in a field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM degree) from a qualifying U.S. research institution of higher education;

have an employment offer from a U.S. employer in a field related to such degree;

are the subject of an approved labor certification; and

will receive a wage for such employment that is at least the actual wage paid by the employer to all other individuals with similar experience and qualifications.

Makes unused STEM visas available for other employment-based visa categories.

Makes available on the DHS website information regarding foreign STEM employers, the number of aliens granted STEM status, and their occupations.

Let illegal alien children attend school.

Clarke signed American Dream Act

Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 to repeal the denial of an unlawful alien's eligibility for higher education benefits based on state residence unless a US national is similarly eligible without regard to such state residence.

Cancels the removal of conditional permanent resident status of an alien who:

entered the US before his or her 16th birthday and has been present in the US for at least five years immediately preceding enactment of this Act;

is a person of good moral character;

is not inadmissible or deportable under specified grounds of the Immigration and Nationality Act; and

at the time of application, has been admitted to an institution of higher education or has earned a high school or equivalent diploma.

Authorizes an alien who has satisfied the appropriate requirements prior to enactment of this Act to petition the Secretary for conditional permanent resident status.